Dental Insurance and Costs

Like many goods and services, fees for dental procedures vary widely from region to region, state to state and city to small town. Typically, if the cost of living is high in a certain area, all professional services may be higher than in other more rural areas. The best way to determine fees for service is to visit your dentist or prosthodontist for a comprehensive examination then discuss the specific treatment and care you may need. You also may contact your state or local dental society to find out if the organization has any resources and information for the public related to the typical cost of dental services in that city, county or state.

Some patients may subscribe to a dental insurance plan and wish to use it to help reduce the cost of procedures. All dental insurance plans are not created equal. Before joining any plan examine it carefully to determine: the monthly premium, the annual deductible, the dental services covered, the percentage of coverage for each allowed procedure, if the insurance company endorses a list of "providers" and the difference in coverage for an "in-network" versus "out-of-network" provider and the amount of total coverage allowed in a year (calendar or fiscal). Other topics to explore would include pre-existing conditions, replacement of existing crowns, bridges, dentures, etc. and whether surgical placement and restoration of dental implants are covered. Often the office manager and/or insurance clerk in your prosthodontist's office can answer questions regarding your dental insurance and the coverage your plan will provide for your proposed treatment. Once you have decided on a treatment plan, you may wish to file a pre-treatment determination to know exactly what coverage to expect from your dental insurance.